New "Inside the Trojans' Huddle" Tuesday (Dec. 20) edition: National Letter of Intent Day, the transfer portal, Shane Lee and Austin Jones, USC and UCLA officially to Big Ten, and viewers Q&A
In Tuesday’s “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle”, panelists Marc Kulkin, Chris Arledge, Bruce Bagni, and Greg Katz look at this week’s Wednesday-through-Friday’s National Letter of Intent window; a transfer portal evaluation; the future of Shane Lee and Austin Jones; UCLA officially going to the Big Ten; and, of course, viewers’ questions and panel answers.
In the first quarter, the panel starts with a rundown on what to expect during Wednesday through Friday’s National Letter of Intent window for high school talent. Who are the highlight players expected to enroll for spring ball? One prominent name that everybody wants to know about is Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco two-way lineman Matayo Uiagalelei. It was learned after the show taping that Matayo is expected to announce his college choice on Wednesday morning at St. John Bosco. There was also an overall assessment of USC’s current portal transfer progress. The panel was enamored by Monday’s addition of Arizona transfer Dorian Singer, who did damage against the USC defense this past season. Singer joins and two former Wildcats transfer teammates, DL Kyon Barrs and DB Christian Roland-Wallace, to USC.
The panel completes the first quarter of conversation by assessing the importance of the announced return of inside linebacker Shane Lee for 2023 and predicting what happens if running back Austin Jones returns for another season or the ramifications if he doesn’t.
Turning to the second quarter, the panel gives their thoughts on the announcement that the UC Board of Regents have given UCLA permission to join USC move into the Big Ten in 2024. However, both Marc Kulkin and Chris Arledge talk about the “alimony” to be paid by UCLA to Cal for the Bruins right to move to the Big Ten. The panel gives assessments on whether USC or UCLA has the most to gain with the change of conferences.
Is there a new transfer portal strategy upon us? The panel gives perspective that some players might go to a lesser-known university out of high school to prove themselves only to attempt later in their career to transfer to their dream school (ex. USC) if given the opportunity.
For the halftime segment, the panel answers viewer questions focused on the Cotton Bowl and USC’s defense able to stop the Tulane offense and Caleb’s hamstring condition. Other viewer questions include O-line recruiting, Matayo Uiagalelei, early thoughts on whether the Trojans will get back into the recruiting race for class of 2024 quarterbacks Dylan Raiola and D.J. Lagway, and opinions on whether USC will be wearing black uniforms with cardinal and gold numbers in the future.
